What Is the Long-Term Risk for Dementia in Parkinson Disease?

Longitudinal analysis of two large cohorts suggests lower risk than previous studies, but methodologic differences preclude strong conclusions.

Dementia is known to occur eventually in most people with Parkinson disease (PD), but recent large-scale longitudinal studies have not been done. To obtain updated data on the long-term risk for dementia with PD, these authors used the international Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) data, along with a cohort drawn from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), examining patients newly diagnosed with PD and following them through to diagnosis of dementia. The two cohorts had similar sizes (PPMI, 417; Penn, 389), however the Penn cohort was followed longer (35 years vs. 10 years). Diagnosis of dementia was made by a study investigator based on a battery of cognitive tests, which could include the Montrea…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)